Trade & FA 2023-24: Stein-Ingram Trade Inevitable| LAL Want Lebron Back On Any Terms

[RasheedsBigWhiteSpot]

Thanks for posting.   Thought this was interesting.  I wonder what the offer was?

When Wizards chief decision-maker Michael Winger informed Kuzma that the general framework of a trade was in place to send Kuzma to the Mavericks — a potential deal that Winger felt only lukewarm about — Kuzma told Winger he wanted to remain with the Wizards. “There was a point in time, Dallas, they definitely did want me,” Kuzma told The Athletic on Monday, before the Wizards played the Mavericks at American Airlines Center. “Winger presented me with what the trade was and obviously didn’t want to trade me and kind of left the decision up to me a little bit and asked me what I wanted to do. I told him I wanted to stay and continue to build something. And that was kind of the end of it.”Asked by The Athletic why he told Winger he wanted to remain with the Wizards instead of joining the Mavericks, Kuzma answered, “In my career, I won a championship. So, I understand that when we play this game of basketball it’s not about contending for a playoff spot. It’s about contending for an NBA championship. There’s only like three or four contenders — true contenders. I just felt like our timelines didn’t line up.” – via The Athletic

What a bizarre thing for Kuzma to say. It totally lacks in self-awareness. Okay, so to him the Mavs aren't a top 4 contender.  Does he he think those teams in any way are interested in him or his contract? If not, are the Mavs closer than the Wizards?  If so, does that mean he's just more comfortable staying on a team that has zero chance to contend during his current contract?

Likewise, Dinwiddie's comments were equally bizarre. Okay, sure, the Lakers have more skins, but they are also led by a guy who will throw his own momma under the bus to get him a chip.  That's not exactly good when you're joining as a 6th to 8th guy.  In addition, does he seriously think the Lakers have a shot?  If he's honest, he knows they don't. And if he really knows the league like he claims to he would know that when they inevitably fail, he'll be one of the guys LeBron will blame for not "providing him a "proper supporting cast".

I think SD likes the ego boost from the appearance that he got more money, nevermind that after Cali takes the state income taxes, it's actually less.